Digital plaque for displaying certificates, associated documents  and current status

ABSTRACT

A digital plaque that can display one of several stored certificates that can also retrieve updates to a displayed certificate when needed. The digital plaque is used to display a certificate and associated information. Typically the certificate displayed is one of an award, a recognition, a score card, a picture, a transcript, a document, a sales deed, a ticket, a poster, a document cover, a book cover, a patent application, a granted patent and a graduation record. A collection of such certificates is stored in memory and displayed when selected by a user. Status information and supporting documents associated with the selected certificate can be retrieved from a remote server and portions of the retrieved information can be displayed.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is a continuation of, claims priority to,and makes reference to U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No.12/156813, entitled “Digital plaque for displaying certificates,associated documents and current status”, filed on Jun. 5, 2008, docketnumber 23051US01. The complete subject matter of the above-referencedUnited States Patent Application is hereby incorporated herein byreference, in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a plaque that is used by auser to display a certificate and particularly to a solution wherein adigital plaque makes it possible to display one of a collection ofdevices.

2. Related Art

Plaques are often used for employee recognition. Plaques can be orderedon the Internet and a user can select a type of frame—word, metal,plastic, etc. The user can upload a customized artwork and photos andthey get engraved on the plaques ordered. Quite often, an employee hangsseveral plaques on the walls of his workspace. In addition, some usersdisplay the plaques on their desk at work. Quite often employees run outof space and cannot display new ones on the walls or the desks. Plaquesare provided to employees of a company to commemorate an event, toappreciate work done, etc. Plaques are provided when patents are issued,and for graduation too. Quite often employees run out of space todisplay the plaques provided to them.

Users sometimes have information engraved on a plaque that later onbecomes outdated. Users have no way to modify the plaques and they haveto order new ones at considerable expense. Outdated plaques are usuallydiscarded and new ones ordered.

Often users need to duplicate or copy the information available on aplaque. They often use a photocopier to make a copy, which usually doesnot look clean or clear when photocopied.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective block diagram of a digital plaque that is usedto display a certificate and associated information.

FIG. 2 is a perspective block diagram of a digital plaque capable ofdisplaying a selected one of a collection of certificates, whereinupdates and associated documents can be retrieved and portions displayedwhen a document is selected for display by a user from the collection ofcertificates.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary operation of the digital plaque.The operation starts at a start block 305 when the user turns on theplaque.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention provides a digital plaque that can display one ofseveral stored certificates that can also retrieve updates to adisplayed certificate when needed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective block diagram of a digital plaque 103 that isused to display a certificate and associated information. The digitalplaque 103 comprises a memory 115, a display circuitry 121, an userinterface 125, and a processing circuitry 111 that is operably coupledto the memory 115, the display circuitry 121 and the user interface 125.The memory 115 comprises executable code for causing the processingcircuitry 111 to perform a certificate selection operation that resultsin the selection of the certificate, such as from a collection ofavailable certificates. The memory also comprises executable code forcausing the processing circuitry 111 to perform a certificate displayfunction that results in the display of the certificate using thedisplay circuitry.

Typically the certificate displayed is one of an award, a recognition, ascore card, a picture, a transcript, a document, a sales deed, a ticket,a poster, a document cover, a book cover, a patent application, agranted patent and a graduation record. A collection of suchcertificates is stored in memory 115 and displayed when selected by auser.

The certificate display function is manageable using the user interface125. A user can use buttons provided to display a certificate, select anew one for display, to update the status of a certificate, to retrievestatus information from a remote server 131, etc. The certificateselection operation is manageable using the user interface 125 too, suchas by the use of buttons available and touch-screen buttons displayed,such as those on a LCD touch screen.

In one embodiment, the certificate selection operation comprisesaccessing the remote server 131 for the certificate and its associateddocuments, content and status information, and retrieving them. Forexample, the status of a patent, such as its issue date, can beretrieved and displayed. The certificate selection operation comprisesselecting one from a collection of certificates currently available inthe memory 115 and selectively retrieving a current status informationfor that certificate from a remote server 131. Such status informationand related documents can be locally stored in the memory 115 ifnecessary. The memory 115 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash stick(NOR, NAND, etc.), a hard disk drive, etc.

The digital plaque 103 displays one of several stored certificates andcan also retrieve updates to a displayed certificate when needed. Thedigital plaque 103 is used to display a certificate and associatedinformation, wherein the associated information can be relateddocuments, a status information, etc. Typically the certificatedisplayed is one of an award, a recognition, a score card, a picture, atranscript, a document, a sales deed, a ticket, a poster, a documentcover, a book cover, a patent application, a granted patent and agraduation record. A collection of such certificates is stored in thememory 115 and displayed when selected by a user. Status information andsupporting documents associated with the selected certificate can beretrieved from a remote server 131 and portions of the retrievedinformation can be displayed based on user preferences andconfiguration.

In one embodiment, the digital plaque 103 is used to display a patentawarded to the user. Using the user interface 125 provided on thedigital plaque 103, a user can retrieve a status for the patent bycommunicating with the remote server 131 that is capable of providingthe status information for the patent. The digital plaque 103 displaysthe patent status, such as an issue date, an expiry date, fees due, etc.In a related embodiment, the digital plaque 103 periodically checks thestatus of the patent automatically without user inputs.

FIG. 2 is a perspective block diagram of a digital plaque 203 capable ofdisplaying a selected one of a collection of certificates, whereinupdates and associated documents can be retrieved and portions displayedwhen a document is selected for display by a user from the collection ofcertificates. The digital plaque 203 comprises at least one non-volatilememory 215 having stored therein one or both of firmware and software(such as an audio player, a video player, a clock, a calendar, etc.). Italso comprises a network communication circuitry 219, a displaycircuitry 221 and at least one processing circuitry 211 operably coupledto the network communication circuitry 219, the display circuitry 221and the at least one non-volatile memory 215. The at least oneprocessing circuitry 211, during its operation, selects a certificatefrom a collection of certificates that is stored in the at least onenon-volatile memory 215 and displays the certificate on the displaycircuitry 221. It also retrieves, when triggered, an updated certificateemploying the network communication circuitry 219. It displays at leastone portion of the updated certificate on the display circuitry.

The digital plaque of also comprises a local communication circuitry227, such as Bluetooth, IR, etc. The at least one processor 211 isoperably coupled to the local communication circuitry 227 and managesthe sharing of the at least one portion of the certificate with a seconddevice 231 employing the local communication circuitry 227. The seconddevice 231 is one of a printer, a personal computer, a laptop, atelevision, a camera and a mobile phone. A collection of certificates islocally stored in the at least one non-volatile memory 215. The at leastone processing circuitry 211 facilitates selection of a targetcertificate by a user from the collection of certificates for display onthe display circuitry 221.

The at least one processing circuitry 211 also facilitates retrieval ofa status information for the target certificate from an remote server231 when the user selects it from the collection of certificates, fordisplay on the display circuitry, i.e. for display on a screenassociated with the display circuitry.

In one embodiment, the digital plaque 203 also comprises an audio playercircuitry and an audio data. The at least one processing circuitry 211facilitates the playing of the audio data using the audio playercircuitry during the display of the certificate on the displaycircuitry. In a related embodiment, the plaque comprises a video playercircuitry and a video data. The at least one processing circuitry 211facilitates the playing of the video data using the video playercircuitry during the display of the certificate on the display circuitry221.

In one embodiment a replaceable decorative frame that frames a screenportion of the display circuitry 221 is provided. Decorative frames canbe a metallic frame with engravings, a wood frame with engraving, aplastic frame, etc.

The digital plaque 203 provides a user interface 225 that has buttonsthat is used to select the certificate from a collection of certificatesand to manage the collection of certificates. In a related embodiment,the display circuitry 221 provides softkeys and touch sensitive buttonson a touch sensitive screen portion of the display circuitry 221 that isused to select the certificate from a collection of certificates and tomanage the collection of certificates.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary operation of the digital plaque.The operation starts at a start block 305 when the user turns on theplaque. Then, at a next block 307, the plaque prompts the user to storea certificate, communicate a certificate, update status, edit a storedcertificate, select a certificate from a collection/list of certificatescurrently available. Then, at a next block 309, when the user selects astore option, the plaque facilitates storing a collection ofcertificates and references. Certificates or references to certificatescan be stored. If a reference, such as a URL is stored, then the actualcertificate and associated data/status information is retrieved fordisplay from a remote server using the reference, when the user selectsthe reference.

Then, at a next block 313, when the user selects a “display certificate”option, the plaque facilitates selection of a target certificate, fromthe collection of certificates and references, by a user for display.Then, when the user selects a target certificate by choosing an entryfrom the list presented, then at a next block 315, the plaque retrievesthe target certificate from a remote server employing the communicationcircuitry if the selection is a reference to the target certificate.

Then, at a next block 317, the plaque displays the target certificate ona display unit of the digital plaque. Then the processing loops back tothe next block 305 for further user input.

Each of the certificates in the collection of certificates presented tothe user at the block 313 are one of a patent, an award, a poem, atranscript, a document serving as evidence, a document serving as awritten testimony, etc. In addition, is the collection has references tocertificates, each of the references is one of a universal resourceidentifier, a document identification, a document number, a patentnumber, a search string and a name. When a certificate is displayed, aportion of the certificate can be shared with a second device inproximity employing a local communication circuitry. The plaque iscapable of managing the sharing of portion of the certificate with thesecond device until the sharing is terminated by the plaque or thesecond device indicates termination of sharing.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the terms “operablycoupled” and “communicatively coupled,” as may be used herein, includedirect coupling and indirect coupling via another component, element,circuit, or module where, for indirect coupling, the interveningcomponent, element, circuit, or module does not modify the informationof a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/orpower level, As one of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate,inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another elementby inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two elementsin the same manner as “operably coupled” and “communicatively coupled.”

Although the present invention has been described in terms of GPScoordinates/and navigational information communication involving mobilephones and computers, it must be clear that the present invention alsoapplies to other types of devices including mobile devices, laptops witha browser, a hand held device such as a PDA, a television, aset-top-box, a media center at home, robots, robotic devices, vehiclescapable of navigation, and a computer communicatively coupled to thenetwork.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention.

One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functionalbuilding blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and componentsherein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components,application specific integrated circuits, processors executingappropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

Moreover, although described in detail for purposes of clarity andunderstanding by way of the aforementioned embodiments, the presentinvention is not limited to such embodiments. It will be obvious to oneof average skill in the art that various changes and modifications maybe practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention, as limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A plaque to display a certificate, the plaque comprising: a memory; adisplay circuitry and a display unit; a user interface; a processoroperably coupled to the memory, the display circuitry and the userinterface; wherein the memory comprises executable code for causing theprocessor to perform operations comprising: storing a certificate in thememory; selecting the certificate from a collection of certificatescurrently available in the memory, wherein the each entry in thecollection of certificates comprises a representation of a documentwhose status changes over time; retrieving updates, associated documentsand status information for the certificate from a server communicativelycoupled to the plaque; and displaying the certificate along with theupdates, associated documents and status information, using the displaycircuitry.
 2. The plaque from claim 1 wherein the certificate is one ofan award, a recognition, a score card, a transcript, a document, a salesdeed, a ticket, a poster, a document cover, a book cover, a patent, agraduation record, a poem, a document serving as evidence, and adocument serving as a written testimony.
 3. The plaque from claim 1wherein the updates, associated documents and status informationretrieved is locally stored in the memory if necessary.
 4. The plaquefrom claim 1 wherein the certificate selection operation retrieves adocument whose status changes over time from the memory or from a remoteserver employing a network communication circuitry in the plaque.
 5. Theplaque from claim 1 wherein, when a certificate is displayed, a portionof the certificate is selectively shared with a second device inproximity employing a local communication circuitry of the plaque. 6.The plaque from claim 1 wherein the plaque selectively shares at least aportion of the certificate with a second device until the sharing isterminated by the plaque or until the second device causes terminationof sharing.
 7. The plaque of claim 6 wherein the second device is one ofa printer, a personal computer, a laptop, a television, a camera and amobile device.
 8. The plaque from claim 1 wherein the plaqueperiodically checks the status of the certificate displayedautomatically without user inputs.
 9. The plaque from claim 1 thatprovides a user with buttons to display one certificate from thecollection of certificates, select a new one from the collection ofcertificates to display, to update the status of one certificate fromthe collection of certificates, and to share one certificate from thecollection of certificates with a second device.
 10. A digital plaquecomprising: at least one non-volatile memory having stored therein oneor both of firmware and software; a display circuitry and a displayunit; at least one processor operably coupled to the display circuitryand the at least one non-volatile memory, wherein the at least oneprocessor, during operation, at least: facilitates storing andmanagement of a collection of certificates, wherein each entry in thecollection of certificates comprises a representation of a documentwhose status changes over time; displays one of the stored collection ofcertificates when it is selected by a user; and accepts user inputs toshare, edit or manage the stored collection of certificates.
 11. Theplaque of claim 10 further comprising: a network communicationcircuitry; the at least one processor also operably coupled to thenetwork communication circuitry, wherein the at least one processor,during operation, further at least: retrieves, periodically or based onuser input or user selection, employing the network communicationcircuitry, an update and status information to the one of the storedcollection of certificates; displays at least one portion of the updatesand status information; retrieves supporting documents associated withthe one of the stored collection of certificates when it retrieves orreceives the update and status information; and displays at least oneportion of the retrieved supporting documents based on user preferencesand configuration.
 12. The plaque of claim 10 further comprising: alocal communication circuitry; and the plaque communicating with asecond device employing the local communication circuitry, wherein thesecond device is one of a printer, a personal computer, a laptop, atelevision, a camera and a mobile phone.
 13. The plaque of claim 10wherein storing the collection of certificates involves storing, foreach individual certificate in the collection of certificates, actualdocuments that are part of that individual certificate or storing areference to that individual certificate, wherein the reference can besubsequently employed, as necessary, to retrieve the actual documentsthat are part of the individual certificate.
 14. The plaque of claim 11further comprising: a video player circuitry; a local communicationcircuitry; the at least one processor, during operation, further atleast: receives, as part of the update and status information, a videodata; and plays the video data using the video player during the displayof the one of the stored collection of certificates; and shares at leastthe video data with a second device employing the local communicationcircuitry.
 15. The plaque of claim 14 wherein the second device is oneof a personal computer, a laptop, a television, a camera and a mobilephone.
 16. The plaque of claim 12 wherein the changes in the status ofeach entry of the collection of certificates are selectively shared bythe plaque with a second device.
 17. A method performed by a digitalplaque that is used to display a certificate, the method comprising:storing a collection of certificates and references, wherein each entryin the collection of certificates comprises a representation of adocument whose status changes over time; managing the stored collectionof certificates and references; displaying each entry in the collectionof certificates based on user selection or user inputs; and managing thesharing of the at least one portion of one of the collection ofcertificates with a second device.
 18. The method of claim 17 whereineach of the entries in the collection of certificates is one of apatent, a recognition, a graduation record, an award, a poem, atranscript, a document serving as evidence and a document serving as awritten testimony.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:retrieving updates and status information for at least one of theentries in the collection of certificates and displaying the updates andthe status information.
 20. The method of claim 17 further comprising:editing at least one of the entries in the collection of certificates.